NXT 1/24/18 Review: Can Johnny Wrestling Win The Big One?

NXT 1/24/18 Review: Can Johnny Wrestling Win The Big One?

NXT on January 24, 2018, was a good show that is building up NXT Philadelphia this week. Let’s break it down:

We start off the show with a promo from Velveteen Dream and it was great. Velveteen Dream was seen in the Performance Center before we see the lights go out and purple smoke started to arise as he called out ambiance and atmosphere. He then called out Johnny Gargano and said that he doesn’t think Johnny Gargano is the right guy to be NXT Champion at the moment especially when there is a choice between him and himself, Velveteen Dream. He then said that no matter how the pieces fall, a dream will be over.

I just have to say that I love the effects for the promo that Velveteen Dream had with the lights off and the purple smoke in the background. Would love to see his promos more like that in the future if possible. Not only that, he seems confident that he will beat Johnny Gargano on this show, but we’ll see. Great promo from Velveteen Dream here.

No Way Jose Vs. Cezar Bononi was a good match. No Way Jose has made a return to NXT! Mark out moment! It’s been a while since we last saw No Way Jose in NXT so it’s great to see him back.

Cezar Bononi had some nice offense against No Way Jose as he hit a nice dropkick and an impressive pumphandle slam on No Way Jose. No Way Jose showed that he still has it despite not wrestling in NXT for a while as he hit a perfectly executed swinging neckbreaker on Cezar Bononi. Good work by both men here.

The ending of the match came when No Way Jose hit Cezar Bononi with a pop-up knockout punch for the pin and win. A good win for No Way Jose as he looks to get back on track. No Way Jose!

Good match and I’m interested to see what’s next for No Way Jose and Cezar Bononi in NXT.

We then see another video package hyping up Aleister Black Vs. Adam Cole in an Extreme Rules match at NXT Philadelphia. Like I said last week, this match between these two should be amazing and I have a feeling it may be the match of the night. We’ll have to wait and see.

Just a reminder that Into The Fire by Asking Alexandria is a theme for NXT Philadelphia and it’s a good song. NXT Philadelphia is this week and I can’t wait for the show. Should be great.

Layota Vs. Bianca Belair was a good women’s match. Layota made an appearance on NXT! Mark out moment! For those of you who don’t know, Layota is also known as Luscious Latasha in SHINE so seeing her here was nice to see.

Layota did get some offense in on Bianca Belair with some strikes, but Bianca Belair was too much for her as she finished Layota off with an Alley Oop for the pin and win. A good win for Bianca Belair as she’s looking to make a name for herself in the NXT Women’s division.

Good women’s match and I’m interested to see what NXT does with Bianca Belair in the near future.

The exclusive sit-down interview between Ember Moon and Shayna Baszler by Percy Watson earlier in the show was good. Percy Watson asked Ember Moon on why she called out Shayna Baszler as she replied by saying that Shayna Baszler is a bully for coming into NXT and hurting people. Shayna Baszler just smirked at Ember Moon with the response as Percy Watson told Shayna Baszler that she has hurt a lot of women since her arrival.

Shayna Baszler told Percy Watson that you have to stir up the water in order to catch fish and Ember Moon is the big fish in NXT. Ember Moon then questioned the route that Shayna Baszler took as she’s taking away what NXT is supposed to be about which is about sportsmanship and responsibility. She then said that if Shayna Baszler ever becomes NXT Women’s Champion, she will get a small glimpse into what it takes to put aside all that selfishness, but it’s not going to happen anytime soon as long she’s champion.

Shayna Baszler then said that Ember Moon is right as she achieved her dreams. She then said that she may choose a different path for herself, but she worked just as hard as her.

Both women then stood up and stared at each other as Shayna Baszler said that she doesn’t care what the NXT Universe thinks because they just have to get used to her.

I think both women in this interview made their point and they’re both ready when they face each other at NXT Philadelphia. We’ll see who walks out as the victor.

Good sit-down interview as I’m intrigued on how the match between Ember Moon and Shayna Baszler will play out at NXT Philadelphia.

We then get another vignette of TM-61 and it was great. They first talk about how the name TM-61 came about which is basically their last names, Thorne and Miller, followed by the Australian dial code which is 61. However, Shane Thorne said that people thought they got their name from Pokemon which is not the case. Shane Thorne talked about he suffered his injury as he had a singles match with Roderick Strong in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic where he injured his leg and was fighting it until The Revival shattered his knee which took him out of action for a year. TM-61 then talked about what The Mighty Don’t Kneel catchphrase means to them and that they’re looking to make their mark in NXT. It was then announced that TM-61 will be returning to action next week.

Once again, nice to see NXT showing who TM-61 are as a tag team and what they are about as they will make their return to NXT next week. Looking forward to their return. They are The Mighty and The Mighty Don’t Kneel!

Chase Brown & Damien Smith Vs. Authors of Pain never got started as Authors of Pain took out Chase Brown & Damien Smith with the Death Valley Drivers to the corner as Akam got on the mic and said that what they did here is what’s going to happen with Undisputed Era. Rezar then said that at NXT Philadelphia, it’s their turn as they hit the Super Collider (Stereo powerbombs after colliding their opponents) on Chase Brown and Damien Smith to end the segment.

Before I talk about how dominant Authors of Pain were here, I just have to say that Chase Brown has made an appearance on NXT! Mark out moment! Chase Brown is known for his work in ROH and FIP so seeing him here was nice to see. However, he and Damien Smith got demolished by Authors of Pain here. Not only that, nice to see Authors of Pain talk for once without Paul Ellering speaking for them. They didn’t say much, but they got their point across and it was effective.

Great segment and I’m interested how Undisputed Era Vs. Authors of Pain for the NXT Tag Team Championships at NXT Philadelphia will play out.

Just a reminder that When The Lights Come On by Asking Alexandria is a theme for NXT Philadelphia and it’s a good song. NXT Philadelphia is this week and I can’t wait for the show. It should be great.

We then get an announcement that next week, it will be Nikki Cross Vs. Lacey Evans. This should be an interesting match and we’ll see how it goes.

Johnny Gargano Vs. Velveteen Dream in a #1 Contender’s match for the NXT Championship was excellent. Mark out moment! Man, I love the mind games that Velveteen Dream played here with him wearing Johnny Gargano’s T-shirt while making his entrance into the ring. Not only that, these two went out there and delivered an excellent match where neither man looked weak in the process.

Velveteen Dream did excellent in this match as he tried to become the new #1 Contender for the NXT Championship. His counter to Johnny Gargano’s slingshot spear into a swinging neckbreaker was well executed. His swinging reverse STO bend transitioned into a DDT on Johnny Gargano looked devastating.

Johnny Gargano did excellent in this match as well as he showed that he’s not a loser, isn’t a fluke, and tried to prove why he is the #1 Contender for the NXT Championship. His cannonball senton from the ring apron to the floor on Velveteen Dream was well executed. His suicide dive on Velveteen Dream was well executed.

There was a spot in the match where I thought it was over when Velveteen Dream hit Johnny Gargano with an Avalanche Death Valley Driver on Johnny Gargano, but Johnny Gargano managed to kick out. Impressive. No one can doubt the guts of Johnny Gargano. Excellent work by both men here.

The ending of the match came when Johnny Gargano locked the Gargano Escape (Chickenwing over the shoulder crossface) on Velveteen Dream to make tap out for the win. A great win for Johnny Gargano as he proved that he can become the next NXT Champion. Johnny Wrestling!

After the match, Andrade “Cien” Almas and Zelina Vega came out to the ring and held the NXT Championship up high on Johnny Gargano’s face. He then tried to punch Johnny Gargano, but Johnny Gargano fought back against Andrade “Cien” Almas. Andrade “Cien” Almas then slapped Johnny Gargano to make him fall to the mat as he tossed him over the ring afterward. Johnny Gargano slowly tried to get back into the ring as Andrade “Cien” Almas was about to him with the championship, but Johnny Gargano hit Andrade “Cien” Almas with a kick followed by a slingshot DDT as Zelina Vega was furious at ringside.

Johnny Gargano then looked at the NXT Championship before grabbing it and holding it up in the air.

Johnny Gargano proved that he can win big matches on his own, but will he be able to do that at NXT Philadelphia. We’ll see this Saturday.

Excellent match and good post-match as I’m looking forward to Andrade “Cien” Almas Vs. Johnny Gargano for the NXT Championship at NXT Philadelphia.

Overall, a good show that is building up NXT Philadelphia this week. Next week, we will get the return of TM-61 and Nikki Cross Vs. Lacey Evans which should be interesting to see. Looking forward to it. NXT! NXT! NXT!